Legislation cracking down on unlicensed drivers who hurt or
kill someone while behind the wheel is one step closer to becoming
law. State Sen. Debbe Leftwich is the author of Senate
Bill 1599, which increases the penalty for a person who causes
the injury or death of a person while driving with a license
that has been suspended, revoked, canceled or denied.

“I
had two accidents in my district last summer. In each case,
a child died, and the person responsible was driving with a suspended
license,” explained Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City. “Even
worse, under current law, the most they could charge the drivers
with was a misdemeanor. We need to strengthen the penalties
and give law enforcement another tool to get these drivers off
the streets.”

Under
Leftwich’s bill, an individual knowingly driving with a
license that had been suspended, revoked, canceled or denied
could be charged with a felony, and if convicted, could serve
up to seven years in prison.

SB
1599, approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday,
now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.